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We know that primary challenges succeed sometimes — it’s dramatic when they do and more dramatic when the victim is a politician of Cantor’s stature. But we ought to have known that before Tuesday. Part of the shock from Cantor’s defeat may be in reaction to the news media’s narrative that the threat to GOP incumbents had ebbed — an all-clear signal that was never supported by much evidence.

1) He was tied to immigration reform2) He was too close to banks and business3) He was feuding with local conservative activists4) He fell out with national activists and talk radio hosts5) He lost touch with his district6) He's Jewish7) He just failed to turn out his supporters

This race is another example of why you shouldn’t trust the internal polls put out by candidates. Just a few weeks ago, Cantor released a survey showing himself up 34 percentage points. A public poll had the race much closer, with a 13 point lead for Cantor. I’ve written about the bias of internal surveys released to the public. We should assume that internal polls are biased and misleading — unless we have a good reason to think otherwise.

The pollster for Eric Cantor's campaign whose pre-primary numbers were woefully off the mark hinted in an email that the House majority leader's upset Tuesday may have been driven by Democrats crossing over party lines.

Veteran Republican pollster John McLaughlin explained in the email to National Journal why the campaign's internal numbers showed Cantor trouncing tea party challenger Dave Brat within weeks of the stunning primary result.

U.S. Republican Representative Paul Ryan said on Wednesday he is not interested in a House of Representatives leadership position after the surprise defeat of Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a party primary contest.

Ryan said Cantor's defeat is "very disappointing" but did not change his view of pursuing an elected House leadership job, saying: "That's just not been my interest". Ryan, who was the Republican party's vice presidential candidate in 2012, spoke to reporters after leaving a speech in Washington.

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by James Dalgleish)

by Derek Caney6/11/2014 4:01:23 PM

U.S. Republican Hensarling 'humbled' by leadership mentions

U.S. Republican Representative Jeb Hensarling said on Wednesday he was "humbled" that people had approached him about possibly taking on a new leadership role in the U.S. House of Representatives and was considering his next steps.

Republicans are scrambling to determine who will lead the party after Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his primary to a little-known challenger on Tuesday. Hensarling, a Texas lawmaker who leads the powerful Financial Services Committee, has since been mentioned as a potential new member of House leadership.

(Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Editing by James Dalgleish)

by Derek Caney6/11/2014 4:00:20 PM

by Derek Caney6/11/2014 3:59:17 PM

Republican Representative Jeb Hensarling says he is "humbled" that people have approached him for possible leadership role, still considering next steps.

by Derek Caney6/11/2014 3:32:41 PM

Apple unwraps 'Healthkit' to propel mobile-health ambitions

Apple Inc took the wraps off a mobile application that can collect and analyze users' health data, part of a suite of new features outlined for its computing and mobile software, at its annual developers' conference on Monday.

Called "Healthkit," it will pull together data such as blood pressure and weight, collected by a growing plethora of healthcare apps on the iPhone or iPad, Apple executives told developers.

Apple vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi demonstrates the new Yosemite operating system at the World Wide developers conference in San Francisco, California, June 2, 2014. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

Top executives are expected to reveal the first details of iOS 8, which is expected to focus heavily on health apps. In March, reports surfaced Apple was working on Healthbook, an app that tracks vital signs from heart rate to blood pressure.

Other rumored additions include a standalone app for streaming music service iTunes Radio, song detection for Siri and new features for Touch ID, the fingerprint sensor available on the iPhone 5s.

Apple will likely also reveal an update for OS X, the operating system that powers Mac computers.

WASHINGTON No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behavior, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to begin talks with Pyongyang any time and without pre-conditions. | Video

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